Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TORONTO28
2009-02-06 12:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Toronto
Cable title:
Ontario Government Still Planning to Run with EDL
how-toVZCZCXRO4890 PP RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHMT RUEHQU RUEHVC DE RUEHON #0028 0371235 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 061235Z FEB 09 FM AMCONSUL TORONTO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2737 INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHDC RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0014
UNCLAS TORONTO 000028
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DHS PASS TO CBP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CPAS ETRD PBT KFRD PGOV CA
SUBJECT: Ontario Government Still Planning to Run with EDL
Ref: (A) 08 Toronto 233 (B) 08 Toronto 390
Sensitive But Unclassified - Please Protect Accordingly.
UNCLAS TORONTO 000028
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DHS PASS TO CBP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CPAS ETRD PBT KFRD PGOV CA
SUBJECT: Ontario Government Still Planning to Run with EDL
Ref: (A) 08 Toronto 233 (B) 08 Toronto 390
Sensitive But Unclassified - Please Protect Accordingly.
1. (SBU) Summary: Ontario Ministry of Transportation officials have
told us that they hope to begin issuing an Enhanced Drivers License
(EDL) by the June 1, 2009 deadline for the Western Hemisphere's
Initiative (WHTI). However, a labor dispute and changes in
technology standards have delayed the Province from signing the
necessary agreements with the Canadian federal government, and thus
delayed the required business plan from being forwarded to the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Despite these setbacks,
Ministry officials say they are ready to move forward quickly once
the issues are resolved, and also are working on contingency plans.
End Summary.
--------------
MOT Knows the Steps
--------------
2. (SBU) Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MoT) officials met with
us January 29 and addressed our concerns about its announcement of
plans to start issuing Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) in winter
2009, despite not having yet submitted its plans for DHS
concurrence. The officials confirmed that they will not be able to
commence issuing EDLs this winter, but they are still aiming to
begin issuance prior to June 1. They also clarified that they are
aware of the steps that must be taken prior to the Province issuing
the EDLs, including the submission of a business plan to the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and convening joint working
groups. According to the officials, they have already created
working groups with the Province of Quebec and the state of New York
and are expecting a visit from a CBP working group soon (Note: post
is not aware of a planned CBP visit for this purpose and has not
seen any country clearance request).
--------------
Labor Union, Technology Tripping Up MoT
--------------
3. (SBU) The MoT officials explained that a number of unexpected
issues delayed the Province's EDL program. Prior to submitting its
business plan to DHS/CBP, the Ontario government must sign an MoU
with the Canadian federal government. Canada's federal government
is insisting that MoT agree to perform financial background checks
on employees who will handle EDL applications, similar to checks the
federal government uses to screen its passport employees. This
requirement, however, has pitted the local labor union against the
Ontario government, with the Canadian Union of Public Employees
(CUPE) arguing that such financial checks would violate employees'
privacy rights. We understand that the Canadian federal government
will not drop this requirement from its MoU with the Province. The
MoT will seek to resolve the issue with CUPE at an Ontario Grievance
Settlement Board hearing on February 17.
4. (SBU) Changes in technical standards for the RFID chips also
delayed the EDL program. The Canadian federal government informed
the Ontario MoT in late 2008 of a required increase in RFID antenna
sensitivity. The required design changes created a two-month delay
in the manufacturing process. According to MoT officials, they are
working on contingency plans so that once the labor and technology
issues are resolved, they can speed through the regulatory process
and issue at least a few EDLs in time for the June 1 WHTI deadline.
[Note: Ultimately, they expect to issue approximately 500,000 EDLs
at eight designated Service Ontario centers at or near the border
and in Ottawa.]
5. (SBU) Comment: While MoT officials are determined to begin
issuing EDLs prior to June 1, that looks like a difficult goal to
attain except in perhaps the most symbolic way (e.g. perhaps the
issuance of a few EDLs to the Premier, responsible Minister, etc).
Labor union conflicts in Ontario often take on a life of their own,
with resolution taking months. Additionally, the working group
consultation process may cause delays, based on requested changes
from either side. That said, all the relevant ministries have
essentially signed off on the program and the MoT is prepared to
fast track the EDLs to begin issuance as soon as possible. Post
looks forward to working with DHS/CBP to help ensure Ontario's plan
for EDL issuance succeeds, thereby giving a boost to smooth WHTI
implementation.
NAY
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DHS PASS TO CBP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CPAS ETRD PBT KFRD PGOV CA
SUBJECT: Ontario Government Still Planning to Run with EDL
Ref: (A) 08 Toronto 233 (B) 08 Toronto 390
Sensitive But Unclassified - Please Protect Accordingly.
1. (SBU) Summary: Ontario Ministry of Transportation officials have
told us that they hope to begin issuing an Enhanced Drivers License
(EDL) by the June 1, 2009 deadline for the Western Hemisphere's
Initiative (WHTI). However, a labor dispute and changes in
technology standards have delayed the Province from signing the
necessary agreements with the Canadian federal government, and thus
delayed the required business plan from being forwarded to the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Despite these setbacks,
Ministry officials say they are ready to move forward quickly once
the issues are resolved, and also are working on contingency plans.
End Summary.
--------------
MOT Knows the Steps
--------------
2. (SBU) Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MoT) officials met with
us January 29 and addressed our concerns about its announcement of
plans to start issuing Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) in winter
2009, despite not having yet submitted its plans for DHS
concurrence. The officials confirmed that they will not be able to
commence issuing EDLs this winter, but they are still aiming to
begin issuance prior to June 1. They also clarified that they are
aware of the steps that must be taken prior to the Province issuing
the EDLs, including the submission of a business plan to the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and convening joint working
groups. According to the officials, they have already created
working groups with the Province of Quebec and the state of New York
and are expecting a visit from a CBP working group soon (Note: post
is not aware of a planned CBP visit for this purpose and has not
seen any country clearance request).
--------------
Labor Union, Technology Tripping Up MoT
--------------
3. (SBU) The MoT officials explained that a number of unexpected
issues delayed the Province's EDL program. Prior to submitting its
business plan to DHS/CBP, the Ontario government must sign an MoU
with the Canadian federal government. Canada's federal government
is insisting that MoT agree to perform financial background checks
on employees who will handle EDL applications, similar to checks the
federal government uses to screen its passport employees. This
requirement, however, has pitted the local labor union against the
Ontario government, with the Canadian Union of Public Employees
(CUPE) arguing that such financial checks would violate employees'
privacy rights. We understand that the Canadian federal government
will not drop this requirement from its MoU with the Province. The
MoT will seek to resolve the issue with CUPE at an Ontario Grievance
Settlement Board hearing on February 17.
4. (SBU) Changes in technical standards for the RFID chips also
delayed the EDL program. The Canadian federal government informed
the Ontario MoT in late 2008 of a required increase in RFID antenna
sensitivity. The required design changes created a two-month delay
in the manufacturing process. According to MoT officials, they are
working on contingency plans so that once the labor and technology
issues are resolved, they can speed through the regulatory process
and issue at least a few EDLs in time for the June 1 WHTI deadline.
[Note: Ultimately, they expect to issue approximately 500,000 EDLs
at eight designated Service Ontario centers at or near the border
and in Ottawa.]
5. (SBU) Comment: While MoT officials are determined to begin
issuing EDLs prior to June 1, that looks like a difficult goal to
attain except in perhaps the most symbolic way (e.g. perhaps the
issuance of a few EDLs to the Premier, responsible Minister, etc).
Labor union conflicts in Ontario often take on a life of their own,
with resolution taking months. Additionally, the working group
consultation process may cause delays, based on requested changes
from either side. That said, all the relevant ministries have
essentially signed off on the program and the MoT is prepared to
fast track the EDLs to begin issuance as soon as possible. Post
looks forward to working with DHS/CBP to help ensure Ontario's plan
for EDL issuance succeeds, thereby giving a boost to smooth WHTI
implementation.
NAY